Fiat 124 Spider 2000 - SOLD

Details

1982 Fiat 124 Spider 2000

Spectacular Rosso Cerise bodywork

Last owner 23 yrs

Specialist maintained

Low mileage (55k miles) with supporting documentation

Description

Prolific in their design, Pininfarina have been linked to manufacturers such as Fiat, Maserati and Alfa Romeo from when the company was founded back in the 1930's and since the 1950's Pininfarina has been inextricably linked to Ferrari, designing without doubt, some of the world's finest exotica such as the 275 GTB/4 Daytona and 206/246 GT Dino. Shown at the 1966 Turin Motor Show, the Pininfarina designed Fiat 124 Spider, styled by Tom Tjaarda, was met with great enthusiasm and with a 1438cc engine, aluminium cross-flow cylinder head, double over-head cam, 4 wheel disc brakes and 5 speed gearbox the 124 Spider was far more mechanically advanced than many of its rivals.

Remarkably over the next 19 years, the 124 Spider saw relatively few body modifications (the primary to meet US impact regulations) but a wider range of engine upgrades with the final being the introduction of the 1995cc Fiat twin-cam engine designed by the ex-Ferrari engineer Aurelio Lampredi.

Originally supplied to Mrs Perry, Bexley Kent, on the 30th December 1981 (UK registered 3rd Feb '82) by Karl Steingass, Fiat - Lancia dealer in Bergisch Gladbach, this 2000 Spider (as marketed by Fiat from '79-82) has always been owned and kept in the UK, with her most recent and fastidious keeper having the car for 23 years.

Finished in her original Rosso Cerise (Cherry Red), paint code 136, with tan interior, this 2000 Spider is in stunning condition. The paintwork, with a deep lustrous shine, remains blemish free; the body has perfect panel gaps and the floor pans, boot / spare wheel-well remain rust free. The original tan interior is in remarkable condition too, the seats remain supportive and unlike many an Italian sports car of this period, the driving position is excellent and ideal for touring in comfort. With a good range of instrumentation, the dash is crack free, the wooden facia is in excellent order with the 'Pininfarina' badge placed on the passenger side glove-box and we love the homage to Fiats sporting heritage with the Abarth 3 spoke steering wheel perfectly positioned for 'il pilota'. We understand the soft-top is original to the car and as with the rest of the car it's still in great condition. Tan in colour with a clear rear window, the soft-top can be stowed perfectly flat in a matter of seconds (glass 1/4 windows fold away automatically too) and with her originally tonneau cover in place it is easy to understand why the Fiat 124 Spider is regarded as one of Pininfarina's finest.

With only 87,300km / 55,000 miles on the clock, supported by 23 previous MOTs 1985-2017, this 2000 Spider has clearly been cosseted. Her history file, with receipts from DTR and Middle Barton Garage (Fiat / Abarth specialists) indicate that whenever work has been needed, the owner has entrusted the Spider to only the best marque specialist. On starting the Spider, the 2 litre twin-cam bursts into life with a throaty, but not obtrusive, sound thanks to the top quality Double S exhaust and with the addition of Euro sports springs, 15" Ronal alloys, her original front spoiler and front / rear bumper deleted; this Spider has a similar appearance to the rare Spider Abarth. On the open road the 2000 Spider is a revelation and despite Fiat's claim that the car has only 102bhp, the whole driving experience would suggest otherwise, throttle response is crisp and instant and the gearbox, with its short throw, feels super tight. For a car with its origins back in the 60's, the Spider feels wonderfully taut, devoid of scuttle shake and with flat, but compliant handling, this car feels every bit as good as the modern bench-mark, the Mazda MX5.....whose platform, interior, screen etc are now found in the new 2016 Fiat 124 Spider!

With a great history file, 2 sets of keys, alarm, MOT (Feb 2018), original handbooks, various magazines / brochures and even her original bumpers, wheels and small spares package, this Fiat 124 Spider is a real credit to its former keepers. Increasing in value and popularity, a great 124 Spider is not only a pleasure to drive but a great investment opportunity too and with stunning coachwork, interior and in first class mechanical condition, this beautiful Fiat 124 Spider 2000 must be one of the finest examples available.

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After months of searching the internet and classic car auctions for the perfect example, I stumbled across a Capri 2.8 Injection for sale at Absolute Classics Cars. I spoke with Mark who was pleasant, helpful and informative. He said that the car was “like the day it came out of the dealership,” and so with some trepidation, I made the journey and found that the car had been described perfectly and truthfully. The guys at Absolute Classic Cars couldn’t have been more helpful, offering me information on train times, places to stay and directions and seeing how beautifully prepared the car was the deal just had to be done. Carl and Mark made the buying experience a real pleasure and I will not hesitate in buying another car from them when time and space allow me to add to the collection.